Community has endorsed candidates for the leadership and deputy leadership
Community affiliates to the Labour Party because it is THE party for working people. Because of this our members have a strong political voice and, if you contribute to Community’s Political Fund, you have the right to participate in the election of a new Scottish Labour leadership team.
Community has identified who we think would be the best candidates to take Labour forward in the Scottish Parliament. Community is supporting Iain Gray for Leader and Johann Lamont for Deputy Leader.
General Secretary Michael J. Leahy OBE says:
‘I believe that Iain and Johann represent an exciting opportunity for Scottish Labour to adopt a strong team to contest the next election. I urge all Community members in Scotland to consider the platforms put forward by Iain and Johann and support their candidature for the leadership.’
Community is supporting Iain Gray because of his commitment to young people in Scotland through the development of skills and training opportunities. As a former teacher, Iain understands the need to develop the skills agenda in Scotland and has welcomed Community’s support of the new Apprenticeship legislation.
Community is also supporting Iain Gray because of his continued support of equality issues in Scotland.
In response, Iain Gray welcomed the support of Community.
Iain Gray said:
"I'm honoured and delighted to have received the backing of Community. Community are a modern, 21st Century union working to protect rights in the workplace and to build stronger communities across Scotland. With rising prices and more unsettled economic times, the work of Community continues to be essential for workers and families in every part of the country. It therefore gives me great pride that they have chosen to endorse my candidacy to be leader of Scottish Labour. I have been an active trade unionist all my life and I have taken those values into my time in politics. I hope I can continue to do so if elected as leader.
"I believe I can offer Scottish Labour a new voice and a fresh start and I'm very happy with the positive response I've received to that message from elected politicians, trade unionists, and from party members across all parts of Scotland. I look forward to the rest of the campaign working side by side with Community until the last possible moment for every vote in support of my bid to be the leader of Scottish Labour."
‘Community is endorsing Iain Gray for Scottish Labour Party leader and I urge all members to cast a ballot for him.’
General Secretary Michael J. Leahy OBE
For the position of Deputy leader, Community is supporting Johann Lamont, MSP for Glasgow Pollock.
Johann Lamont has used her position in the Scottish parliament to address the issues of tackling poverty, women’s rights and the rights of disabled people and other groups who experience discrimination.
Johann Lamont responded by saying:
"I am delighted to have secured the support of Community in my campaign to become the Deputy Leader of the Scottish Labour Party. I am determined to work closely with trade union members to ensure that their interests are understood and their concerns addressed by the Labour Party. If elected, I particularly look forward to working with Community - a union which is seeking to reach out into our local communities to work with all those who give of their time to make a difference to their neighbourhoods. This commitment is imaginative, exciting and will allow for a powerful coming together of trade unionism in the workplace and in the places where we live.
I congratulate Community on its important campaign to highlight the scandal of intimidation and abuse faced by betting shop workers. I applaud Community in its persistence in demanding regulation and proper safety measures for these workers. Community is acting in the most important tradition of the trade union movement - speaking up for those who are silenced and intimidated and challenging employers to act. We also call on those who use betting shops to stand up for those who work on their behalf. They deserve zero tolerance of abuse to be the commitment of employer and customer alike. For too long workers have been silenced and their plight ignored. Community challenges us all - and I am determined to do what I can to support this important campaign."